Kicking specialist Mark Simon sat down recently with  CompuSports Staff Writer Jim Reese to talk about his thoughts on the kicking game. Mark has been a highly successful kicker in both college and the NFL. Among his most recent contributions to the game is  Punting Basics, the first truly “active” e-Book that launches video clips from within the e-Book itself.  

Jim Reese: Mark, has it been your experience over the years that more games turn on the kicking game than on any other aspect?

Mark Simon: Most definitely! An outstanding special teams play is the same as a long pass caught for a touchdown, or a running back scampering for 50 yards.  Not only does it provide great field position or points on the board, but also a huge  physiological factor as well.

JR: In your opinion, is enough time spent on the kicking game during practice sessions in high school? If not, what percentage would you spend on it if you were the coach?

MS: No and 40.  In my opinion, high schools have become much more detailed and complicated in their offensive approach.  Sticking with the basics simple plays and running them consistently and correctly over the course of the game will provide a winning combination.  Add on top of that a solid kicking game (which means NOT just providing the usual “we spend 1/3 of our practice
time on the kicking game”) and you have the potential for a championship team.  A solid kicking game means proficiency and repeatability in the kickoff, on-side kicks, PAT’s, fake PAT’s, punts, fake punts, kick return, punt return, field goal rush and punt rush.  Kickoffs are kicked well into the end zone to reduce the chance for return.  Punts are consistently 38-40 yards.  Protection and coverage teams consistently stick with their assignments.

JR: Do more breakdowns occur in the punting game through ineffective protection and/or blocking, on poor snaps, or through poor technique on the punter’s part? Or is there some other reason?

MS: From what I’ve seen, it’s a combination of all the above.  Most of the protection is pretty good, but if an opposing team has any organized punt rush, usually the protection will fail.  Add into that a punter who was “picked up” from the soccer team or perhaps got lucky to punt the furthest in the two-minute tryout and you have an ineffective punt.  I’ve also noticed the inconsistency in the snap and catch portion of the punt.  Even with an above-average punter, many times the shortfall occurs with the snap, which in turn throws the whole timing off.  Why?  Usually because the snapper is working with the offense, and time is not spent specifically on snapping with the punter and/or holder.  I realize many high schools don’t have the luxury of a dedicated snapper, but that’s why I tell all of the punters
and holders I coach to contact the snapper during the summer and make friends.  Get out and snap/receive before the season starts!

JR: I am aging myself here,  Mark, but whatever happened to the “coffin corner” kick?

MS: Seems in the late 80’s, a special teams coach somewhere decided either it was too hard to coach the coffin corner kick, he didn’t have any punters available that could perform it, or he just wanted to add some “excitement” into the short punt.  Bad reasons all-around!  In my opinion, the last 15 years have been “flat” as far as their impact on the game. With the advent of extraordinary return men and teams, the “coffin corner” kick should evolve not only for the defensive factor but also for the entire field – in other words angle the punt out of bounds 40 yards anywhere on the field.  This “neutralizes” the return.